The public is invited to several events in November celebrating Thomas Hart Benton’s
life, his work and his impact on the history of American Art. The exhibit will remain
on display through Jan. 24. Admission to the exhibit and the events are free.

A curator talk will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 5. Dr. Joan Stack, State Historical Society
of Missouri’s art curator, will enlighten us with the stories behind the American Mythologies exhibit. Attendees will come away with a better understanding of why cowboys and
steamboats are such an important element of America’s culture and of Benton, his contributions
to American art, and how our mythic history shapes who we are as Americans.

The opening reception will be held 4-8 p.m. Nov. 6.

Thomas Hart Benton Family Day will be held 1-4 p.m. Nov. 14. Hands-on activities will
lead participants to create their own images with the artistic style used by Benton.
Guided gallery tours will occur hourly. Historical performer Gary Beahan will portray
Benton during this entertaining event.

A presentation will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 19. Dr. Frank Nickell, Historian and Assistant
Director of The State Historical Society of Missouri, will convey fascinating accounts
that create an understanding of Missouri and the culmination of this region’s society
in the time of Thomas Hart Benton.

A musical performance will occur 7 p.m. Nov. 20. Dr. Robert Fruehwald, composer and
faculty in Southeast’s music department, will provide an entertaining works by Missouri
composers to tie into the American Mythologies exhibition.

This exhibition showcases twenty-six of Thomas Hart Benton’s lithographs that explore
the mythic West, including subjects such as Jesse James, the writings of Mark Twain
and the intersections of American cultural heritage. From cowboys to steam trains,
these artworks explore the energy, anxiety and conflicted nature of America’s conception
of itself.

This exhibition is organized by The State Historical Society of Missouri with support
of its Research Center-Cape Girardeau. Artworks on loan from the SHSMO Art Collection,
Columbia, Missouri.

The Crisp Museum is located in the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast Missouri State
University’s River Campus, located at 518 S. Fountain St. in Cape Girardeau, Mo. For
more information, call (573) 651-2260 or email museum@semo.edu.